Oil, gas, and water separator



N0v.2s,1939. l l PWALKER y 2,181,687/

OIL GAS AND WATER SEPARATOR Nov. 28, 1939. .l- P. WALKER 2,181,687

OIL, GAS, AND WATER SEPARATOR Filed Dec. 17, 19:57 4 sheets-sheet 2` Nov. 2s, 1939. J, P. WALKER 2.181,68?

OIL, GAS, AND WATER SEPABATOR Filed Deo. 17, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l ,55 Z4 39 ./ZO

I g5 36 3l' Nov. 28, 1939. J, P, WALKER OIL, GAS, AND WATER SEPARATOR Filed Dec. 17, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES OIL, GAS, AND WATER SEPARATGR Jay P. Walker, Tulsa, Okla., assigner o! forty per cent to Guy O. Merchant and six per cent to C. G. Wells, both of Tulsa, Okla.

Application December 17, 1937, Serial No. 180,459

6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in oil, gas and water separators.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved separator of the class described particu- 5 larly adapted to treat emulsions and emulsiiled mixtures and employing Yheated water.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a separator of the character described including an upright tank provided with a separating tower at its upper end arranged to receive van oil, gas and water mixture and separate a major portion of the gas, whereby a predominantly oil and water mixture is carried down into the tank for treatment to extract the water.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for continuously treating oil, gas and water mixtures, wherein the mixture is rst preheated to promote separation of the mixed iiuids in a suitable preheater and conducted from said preheater to a separating tower wherein the major portion of the gas is scrubbed out and the residual oil and water mixture carried down into the bottom of a'tank and then carried upwardly through a body of hot water, whereby the oil is extracted and heated and oats upon the water in the upper portion of the tank. The recovered oil being carried off from one outlet and the separated water being discharged through another outlet.

An important object of the invention is to provide a separator having a separating tower at the top of a tank with an iniluent inlet located to give the iiuids elongated travel paths and cause them to ascend and descend in more or less columnar form, whereby separation is promoted.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a plan View,

Figure 3 is an enlarged, horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure l,

Figure 4 is an elevation of the apparatus showing the water discharge device,

Figure 5 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional view of the lower portion of the apparatlls,

Figure 6 is a similar view of the upper portion of the apparatus,

Figure 'I'is an enlarged, transverse, vertical,

sectional view at right angles to Figure 5,

Figure 8 is an enlarged, horizontal, cross-sec- (Cl. Nil-2.7)

Figure 9 is an enlarged, horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 1,

Figure l is a verticah sectional view of the upper portion of a modified form of apparatus, and

Figure l1l is a similar view of another form of apparatus.

This application is led as a continuation in part of my co-pending application Serial No. 100,655 and includes matter disclosed in my abandoned application Serial No. 13,675.

In the drawings,.the numeral Ill designates an upright, cylindrical tank, having an elevated bottom I I and a crowned top I2. A vertical tower i3 rises from the central portion of the top and has its bottom open at I4 to communicate with the interior oi the tank. The location of the tower on the top may be altered, but it is important that the tower have sumcient height to carry out the separating function. A dished head l is secured in the upper end of the tank a short distance below the top I2, with which it co-acts to form a receiving chamber I. However, neither the head I5 norsthe chamber I6 are essential to the invention.

In the tower i3, atr about mid-height is a diverter box il which is shown best in Figures l and 3. The oil, gas and water mixture is delivered to this box, which owing toits construction causes the iniluent mixture to be diverted onto the upright wall of the tower and whirled aroundY in the tank. An iniiuent pipe entering the tower at a tangent would do the same thing. While the influent may be delivered to the box l'l in any suitable manner, I prefer to conduct it by a right angular pipe i8 extending from a preheatei` 4l through the side wall of the tank into the chamber I6 and thence up the tower to the bot tom of the diverter box l1. The advantage of this arrangement is that the influent owing through an inside pipe is less likely to cool than ifit owed through an outside pipe; however, an outside pipe may be used.

The upper end of the ,pipe I8 discharges into the diverter box l1, whereby the inuent l's caused to take a circumferential course around the inner wall of the tower I3. The inuent is scrubbed on the wall of the tower and the liquids take a downward helical course, while the gas and gaseous fluids, which are separated by the scrubbing action, taken an upward helical course. A gas escape pipe I9, such as is common in separators leads from the top of the tower and includes the usual control valve (not shown), whereby the escape of gas may be controlled.'l

The major portion of the gas is separated in the tower. Owing to the columnar form of the tower the helical courses of the uids will be elongated, whereby a more thorough scrubbing' through the opening I 4 at the bottom of the tower into the chamber I6. In order to equalize gas pressures above and below the head I5 an'd also for the purpose of remixing gas with the treated 5 oil collected in the tank below the head, an angular gas pipe 20 extends from the head I5 up into the tower above the box |1.

The liquids which have been primarily separated from the gas, but which contains some gas in solution, ow from the chamber I6 down through an axial discharge pipe 2|. The pipe extends from the bottom of the head 5 to the midportion of y the tank where it is offset so as to extend down the tank in proximity to the wall'thereof. It. will be noted that the offset portion of lthe"pipe 2| .extends down between the wall of the tank and the vertical wall 25 of an upright housing 24. At its lower end the pipe 2| is connected to one end of a horizontal nozzle 22 which extends diametrically across the tank, as is best shown in Figures 5 and 9. The nozzle 22 has slots 23 therein and these slots may be located wherever desired. In Figure '7 one of the slots is shown on side of the upper portion of 25 the nozzle, however, perforations may be used. The mixture or emulsion composed of oil and water and more or less free from gas, isv discharged from the nozzle into the lower portion of the housing 24. 3o The mixture discharged from the nozzle impinges a pair of longitudinally spaced inclined bailles 26, which overhang the nozzle 22 (Figure .7). The major portions of the flow streams will pass between the adjacent edges of the bailles,

While some portions may pass around the lower edges'thereof. A U-shaped iire box 21 is disposed transversely above the bailies. 26 and is shown as supported in a V-shaped trough 26 extending diametrically across the housing from a manhole 29 in the side wall of the tank. The re box is mounted in a cover 30 fastened on the manhole,

whereby the ends of the re box protrude from the tank. The lower leg which is open at its outer end may receive a gas burner or other 4heating element (notshown), while the upper end may be connected with a stack 3|.

The trough 28 acts as a. deector for the mixture causing it to flow up each side of the lower leg of the re box, which leg overhangs saidv trough. Inclined bales 32 are arranged above thelower leg of the ire box, while inclined baillles 33 are arranged above the upper leg thereof. These battles are inclined and disposed similarly to the baffles 26 and act to direct the mixture against the legs of the re box and heat it.

After passing between the bales 33 the oil-water l housing are formed by side walls 34 and between these sidewalls and the wall of the tank segregated upright or vertical passages o'r return channels 35 are formed, because the said walls have their vertical edges in contact with th tankv wall. The wall 25 forms with the tank a front passage 35'. Liquids flowing down any of these passages, channels or spaces are discharged from their lower ends and enter'the housing below the nozzle 22. The tendency of the liquids flowing into the housing would be to rise outside of the baflfles 26, 32 and 33 and to admix with the influent liquids from the nozzle 22, in the zone of the re box and immediately thereabove. There is, of 5 course, maintained a body of water,` some portions of which may remain more or less stationary while the other portions may ilow up and down throughsaid body.

One of the results sought is to reduce the 10 heat necessary to carry out efficient separation. By reducing the artificial heat, not only is there saving in fuel cost, but there is a more important saving by preventing excessive losses of the lighter or more volatile gases or gaseous uids, l5 such as gasoline, butane, octane, hexane and the like, which losses are due to vaporization because of excessive heat. The upwardly flowing emulsion mixture passing from the zone of the ire box 21 in the housing 24, will encounter the lowermost of a series of staggered upwardly inclined baffles 36, alternately having their lower ends fastened to the tank wall and the front wall 25. The upper free edges 36' of the bailles 36 may be serrated so as to cause the liquids flowing therearound to sub-divide into numerous small streams.

The tendency of the flowing mixture will be to owfalong the under sides of the baies. The oil or; oily liquids will oatupwardly, while the 30 water which is scrubbed out will descend or settle onto the upper surfaces of the bailies and run down the same. Drain openings 31 are provided in the side walls 34,' either at the lower ends of the bailles 36 or adjacent thereto and the ex- 35 tracted water will escape therethrough into the return channels 35. The top 38 of the'housing may also be inclined and provided at its free edge .with an apron 39 having its lower edge 4I) serrated. 40-

By use of the inclined bailles 36, important advantages are had. The emulsion or oil and water mixture which passes up through the housing 24 is thoroughly washed. The effectiveness of this washing operation is governed, to a large extent, 45 by the length of the path through the body of heated water, which, is travelled by the emulsion.

If the baiiles were not used, a very high tank, possibly more than fty feet high would be required to secure eflcient washing. An elongated travel 50 path is highly desirable., The slightly inclined bailles, while permitting an upward ow of emulsion, cause it to flow back and forth across vthe tank, which gives an opportunity for thorough washing 'and precipitation of the water. 5

The serrated edges or saw teeth 36' and 40 are very important as they assure a spreading of the ow and its division into numerous small streams. The bailles 36 are shown in staggered relation,

' but they may be arranged in any manner which 60 will elongate the travel path of the emulsion. The introduction of emulsion from the pipe 2| by way of the nozzle 22, below the bames assures an upward.l flow around and between said baffles.

permit the water to drain from the upwardly moving fluid. It is highly desirable to take the separated water away from the rising oil as rapidly as possible. It is obvious that the water will be constantly seeking to settle or return to the bottom of the tank, while the oil will be constantly ascending. By the time the flow reaches the oil zone all of the water will be scrubbed out or extracted and the liquid will be substantially entirely oil and some gas in solution.

It is pointed out that the water, which accumulates in the bottom of the tank, will have a lower temperature than the liquids passing'between the baflles 36 and consequently a thermo-syphon action will be set up, whereby a circulation of water will be provided down through the channels 35 and upwardly within the housing 24. rIhis recirculating of the water aids in heating the influent discharged from the nozzle 22, thus requiring less heat tov be supplied by the fire box 2l. Further, the heated water passing downwardly around the housing and within the tank tends to insulate, by heat exchange, the fluids and liquids being heated within the housing 24, against temperatures outside of the tank, which temperatures may be quite low.

As before pointed out, it is highly desirable to reduce the amount of heat necessary to treat the emulsion within the tank. This may be largely accomplished by preheating the influent before it enters the tank, but it may also be accomplished through the use of thermo-syphon systemand the elongation of the path through which the emulsion travels from the time it is discharged from the nozzle until it reaches the upper portion of the tank. It is desirable to handle the iniiuent at or near atmospheric pressure in order that the major part of the gas will rise from the oil emulsion as it enters the tank, thereby minimizing the loss of the highly volatile gases by the subsequent heat treatment. By rst removing the major portion of the gas and then heating the emulsion mixture and circulating it as described, the water may be effectively precipitated. Then by admixing with the treated oil, gas or gaseous fluids, after the water has been removed, the oil is brought nearer to its original gravity, and is not subjected to the great losses of valuable constituents, as in the common method now in use.

It is desirable to reduce the amount of chenilcal used in dehydrating the iniiuent and if possible to do away with its use altogether. Such a result may be accomplished toa great extent by preheating the inuent as it comes from the well or other source and is about to enter the tank Ill. A preheater and cooler 4I is mounted vertically of the tank, as is best shown in Figure 1. This device has a cylindrical shape and is closed at its upper end by a cap 42 and at its lower end by a cap 43. A head 44 is spaced a Short distance below the cap 42, while a head is spaced a short distance from the bottom cap 43. These heads are connected by vertical tubes 46. An inuent pipe 41 enters the bottom of the preheater and cooler between the cap 43 and the head 45. The influent flowing up through the tubes is discharged into the space above the head 44 and the inlet pipe I8 is connected with the preheater so that the inuent which flows up the tubes 46 is conducted to said pipe, and thence through the chamber I6 and up the tower I3 to the diverter I'I.

Just below the head 44 the preheater and cooler is connected with the gas space of the tank by a pipe 48 while a gas outlet 49 leads from the lopposite side of the preheater. This permits the gas to escape `from above the oil level and as it passes around and contacts with the tubes through which the cold influent enters, it is obvious that by reason of this passage and contact, the gas will be cooled before it enters the pipe, whereby the liqueflable constituents are condensed and dropped out into the oil. The oil level in the tank is maintained by an oil outlet pipe 50, and oil is constantly discharged into the pre` -heater below the head 44 and flows down around the tubes 4t. An oil outlet pipe 5i leads from the preheater and cooler just above the head 45. From the foregoing it will be seen that the hot oil owing out through the pipe 5U passes down through the preheater and cooler between the tubes 46 and by reason of heat exchange, the cold iniiuent passing upwardly through said tubes is preheated and the hot oil is thereby cooled. The lower end of the preheater is supported-from the tank by a deadened pipe 52, there being no connection with the tank at this point, whereby fluid will flow thereinto.

The preheating of the influent is ver'y important because it reduces the amount of chemical which may be necessary. Where chemical is used, it has been found that a very eicient mixing of the chemical with the inuent is had, by introducing it into the inuent, due to the presence of the gas in the incoming emulsion flowing through the heat exchange tubes, which gas because of the turbulence and agitation set up thereby, tends to more thoroughly admix the chemical with the emulsion. The influent is gradually heated and when it reaches the housing it does not require very much more heat in order to carry out the water separation. By reducing water precipitation is obtained.

In order to control the water level in the tank I0, an adjustable stand pipe 53 (Figure 4) is employed` This pipe is connected with a pluggedA T 5d at its lower end, which in turn is connected in a Water discharge pipe 55 leading vfrom the bottom of the tank. 'I'he stand pipe and T are arranged to swing. An elbow 56 is connected to the pipe 53 a short distance below the upper end, and the elevation of this elbow controls the water level in the tank. A discharge pipe 5l leads downwardly from the elbow. The water in the pipe 53 will be higher than the water level in the tank I6, due to the additional weight of the oil floating on the water. It will be seen that by swinging the pipes 53 and 5l, the elbow 56 will be raised or lowered and thus the water level in the tank controlled. Of course, any other controlling means might be used.

In using the separator, it is sometimes necessary to fill the tank to `the water level with salt water. If natural salt water is not available then it is necessary to mix about two hu'ndred and fifty pounds, more or less, of salt to each one hundred barrels of water. However, it has been found that the method may be successfully per-A formed by merely flowing the iniiuent from the well into the tank to a level above the burner, or

in providing any other liquid level, and then supdred and seventy degrees or more Fahrenheit, according to the emulsion to be treated. As the water is heated it will circulate through the housing 24 and the passages 35 and 35' (Figures 5, 7, 8 and 9). When the water or other liquid has been sufficiently heated, the infiuent is admitted from the pipe 41 and caused to flow up through the tubes 46 and enter the pipe I8 which will deliver it to the diverter I1.

'I'he inuent which is discharged into the diverter I1 is carried around the inner wall of the tower I3, and thereby a considerable amount, usually the majority of the gas is thus scrubbed out; however, some gas will remain in solution. The oil and water mixture will ow helically down the tower and accumulate in the chamber I8. The gas which is separated may either enter the pipe 20 and pass down through said pipe to the upper portion of the tank above the oil level and escape through the pipe 48 into the preheaterand cooler 4I, from which it will escape through the pipe 49; or preferably the major portion may pass out through the pipe I8, depending upon the opening of the valve (not shown) in the said pipe I9.

The oil and water mixture iiowing downthe pipe 2|' from the chamber I6, will be discharged from the nozzle 22 through the slots 23 into the lower end of the housing 24. 'Ihis oil and water mixture will flow upwardly throughv the housing. around the nre box and between the baiiles 35. The lwater and oil will thus be separated so that the-oil which rises to the oil level will pass out through the pipe 50 into the preheater 4I. This oil, will be hot and in passing down and around the tubes 46 it will be cooled by the heat exchange, as hereinbefore set forth. The oil nally discharges through the pipe 5I and may be conducted to a suitable tank.

The circulation and recirculation of the water throughthe housing 24 and the return channels 35 and 35', is of vast importance in the general performanceof the separator and ties in with the primary separation of the gas in the tower I3. If the gas were not separated in the tower there would be a violent agitation in the lower portion of the tank and the thermo-syphonic circulation would be unsatisfactory. The return water which passes down the channels 35 and 35' is more or less quiescentand will cool quicker. Also by rst removing the gas the residual liquids will move more slowly through the body of heated water.

'I'he hot vapors which rise from the hot oil will contact the bottom head I5 of the chamber I6. The bottom head being much cooler because of the lower temperature of the liquids in said chamber will cause the vapors to condense and drop out the liqueable fractions. The condensate dropping Vfrom the head into the body-of heated oil will build up the gravity of the same. y

After the operationl has started, considerable less heat will be required because of the hot oil passing through the preheater and the circulation of the liquids within the tank. The preliminary separation whereby the major/portion of the gas is separated from 'the oil and water, makes it much more easy to precipitate the water and carry out the separation. It is obvious that 'the more the inuent is heated the greater will be the expansion of the gas and, therefore, the greater the agitation. By keeping down the heat and increasing the travel path through the housing 24, there is less agitation and less expansion and consequently less loss of gaseous vapors. vThe water will, of course, gradually settle and pass off through the pipe 55. The dividing of the mixture into small streams by the saw-teeth 36' and 40, greatly enhances the separation.

In Figure 10 Il have shown another form of the invention in which the influent enters the chamber I 8 from a pipe 60 from which it escapes through a pipe 8l to the top of the preheater 4I The influent is caused to accumulate in the chamber by a valve 62 actuated by a oat 63 in said chamber. A diametrical partition 64 divides the space between the cap 42 and the head 44 and the inuent from the pipe 6I enters on one side of said partition. The influent pipe 41 is omitted, so that the iniiuent which flows down the tubes 46 on the side of the partition 64 will flow up the tubes on the other side thereof and discharge into the space above said tubes. A pipe 65 leads from the cap 42 to the diverter I1 in the tower I3.' A gas equalizing pipe 66 leads from the top of the 'tower down through the chamber I6 and head I5. Below the diverter I1 is a hopper 81 which catches all of the separated water and oil and discharges this residual liquid into a pipe 63 which extends down through the head I5 and is otherwise the same as pipe 2|. A gas outlet pipe 69 extends from the tower just below the funnel 61.

Some gas will be separated in the chamber I6 and such' gas will rise intothe tower I3 and escape by way of the pipe 69, which may be valve controlled. The gas liberated in the tower abovel the funnel could be-carried oil as in Figure 1, but will be carried down through the pipe 66 and discharged through the elbow 10 and thegas discharge pipe 48.

In Figure' 11, still another structure is shown which is similar 'to Figure l0 except that the in- Afluent enters the top of the preheater 4I through the diverter I1, but into the side thereof, insteadV of into its bottom. Instead of the gas escape pipe 43, a gas discharge pipe 11 leads from the gas pipe 2l to the preheater. l

` This application is directed to the tower structure into ywhich the in'uent is introduced, a.

similar structure being shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 100,655, but not claimed therein.. The' application also includes other structure in combination with the foregoing, which is not claimed in said co-pending application.

What I claim Patent, is:

V1. In an oil, gas and water separator, an upright tank, a tower surmounted upon the top of the tank and extending above the same, means for introducing an oil, gas and water mixture into the tower intermediate its ends, and for causing the mixture to whirl around the tower to quickly scrub out the major portion of the gas, a gas pipe leading from the tower above the inlet thereto, a pipefor carrying the residual oil and water. mixture steadily from the towerl tank and maintaining a body of water therein, inclined bames within the tank immersed in vand desire to secure by Letters the body of water providing a continuous back 15 and forth travel of the oil and water mixture transversely through the body of water, means -for artificially heating the body of water, means for discharging oil from the upper portion of the tank, the oil andwater pipe extending down one side of the tank adjacent the wall thereof, and an upright partition contiguous to the conductor and separating the bales therefrom, said bailies coacting with the partition to elongate the upward travel -of the loil and water mixture discharged from the conductor.

2. In an oil, gas and water separator, an upright exterior preheater having an influent inlet and an influent outlet for preheating an emulsion mixture, an upright tank contiguous to the preheater, a tower surmounted upon the top of the tank, a pipe connected with the inuent outlet of .the preheater for introducing an oil, gasy and water mixture into the tower intermediate its ends, whereby `the mixture is whirled around the tower and quickly scrubbed out, a gas pipe leading from the tower above the inlet thereto, a pipe for steadily carrying the residual oil and Water mixture from the tower down through the 'tank to the lower portion thereof, means for carrying off water from the tank and maintaining a body of water therein, inclined baiiies within the tank immersed in the body of water providing a continuous back and forth travel of the oil and water mixture transversely through the body of water, means for artiicially heating the body of water, means for discharging oil from the upper portion of the tank, the oil and water pipe extending down one side of the tank adjacent the wall thereof, and

Aan upright partition contiguous to the conductor and separating the baffles therefrom, said baflles coacting with the partition to elongate the'upwardl travel of the oil and water charged from the conductor.

3. Inv an oil, gas and water separator, alarge upright tank, a smallvertical tour surmounted upon the top of the tank, a pipe for conducting an emulsion mixture to the tower, a diverter inthe pipe and sharply directing it circumferentially within said tower, whereby -a major portion of the gas is quickly scrubbed out, a gas pipe leading from the.top of the tower, a head within the upper portion of the tank close to the top thereof forming a receiving chamber, the bottom of the tower being open to quickly discharge the residual liquids into said chamber, a pipe for more steadily carrying the residual oil and water mixture from the ltower to the lower portion of the tank extending from the head at the bottom of the chamber, means for carrying oir-.water from the tank and maintaining a body of water therein, inclined bailes within the tank immersed in the body of waterv providing a continuous back and forth travel of the oil and water mixture transversely through the body of water, `means for artincally heating the body` of water, and means for discharging oil from the upper portion of the tank.

05 Y i I 4. In an oil, gas and water separator, a large 1 upright tank, a small -vertical tower surmounted upon the top of a tank, apipe for conducting an emulsion mixture to the tower, -a diverter in the .tower receiving the emulsion pipe' and .directing it circumferentially within said tower, whereby a major portion of the gas is quickly scrubbed out, a gas pipe leading from the'top c; the tower. a head within the upper the major portion of the gas is mixture distower receiving the emulsion mixture from said mixture from said oil portion of the tank forming a receiving chamber at the top of the tank, the bottom of the tower being open to quickly discharge the residual liquids into said chamber, a relatively small pipe for more steadily carrying the residual oil and water mixture from the tower to the lower portion of the tank extending'from the head at the bottom of the chamber, means for carrying off water from the tank and maintaining a body of water therein, inclined battles within the tank immersed in the body of water providing a continuous back and forth travel oi the oll and water mixture transversely through the body of water, means for artifically heating the body of water, means for discharging oil from the upper portion of the tank, the oil and water conductor extending down one side of the tank adjacent the wall thereof, and an upright partition contiguous to the conductor and separating. the bailies therefrom, said baffles coacting with .the partition to elongate the upward travel-of the oil and water mixture discharged from the conductor.

5. In an oil, gas and water separator, an upright tank, a tower mounted on top of the tank, means for introducing an oil, gas and water mixture into the tower intermediate its ends, whereby the mixture is whirled around the towerand the major portion of the gas is scrubbed out, a/gas conductor leading from the top of the tower, a second gas conductor leading from the tower above the inlet and communicating with the tank, a conductor for carrying the vresidual liquids from the tower to the lower portion of the tank, a preheater having an influent inlet and connected with the means for introducing the emulsion 'mixture into the tower, and a gas conductor extending from the second gas pipe to the preheater.

6. In an oil, gas and water separator, the combination of a relatively large diameter upright tankof suilicient height for carrying ut a complete oil washing operation therein, a vertical tower of relatively small diameter mounted upon' and extending upwardlyy from the top of the tank, an inlet intermediate the ends of said tower for introducing an oil, gas and water mixture thereinto, means at the inlet for causing the mixture to quickly whirl around the tower for rapidly scrubbing out entrained gas to produce a more stable mixture, a gas discharge pipe leading from the tower above the inlet thereto, the

lower end of the tower being open, a dished head portion of for the oil and water mixture into the body of water in-awide transverse path so that the oil and water mixture may flow upwardly through the y of water in ampliiied surflcial contact there th, means for artificially heating the body of water. and means for fromthetankatapointabove the water level Yand below the transverse head'.

JAY P. WALKER. 

